Contrifugal governor for the rpm control of internal combustion engines

ABSTRACT

In a centrifugal governor for setting the fuel quantity control member of a fuel injection pump, there is provided an abutment for limiting the displacement of said member. Said abutment is adjustable both linearly along said member and angularly to vary the orientation of a curved abutment edge cooperating with a follower nose connected to said fuel quantity control member.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Karl-Ernst Kuhn Grunhach; Heinz Kuscllmien, Gerlingen; Heinrich Staudt. Markgroningen-Talhausen. all of Germany [21] Appl. No. 887,545

[22] Filed Dec. 23. 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 16. 1971 [73] Assignee Robert Bosch Gmbll Stuttgart, Germany [32] Priority .Ian. 8. 1969 [33] Germany [54] CONTRIFUGAL GOVERNOR FOR THE RPM CONTROL OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION Int. Cl .v

Primary E.\'aminer Laurence M. Goodridge Attorney-Edwin E. Greigg ABSTRACT: In a centrifugal governor for setting the fuel quantity control member of a fuel injection pump. there is provided an abutment for limiting the displacement of said ENGINES member. Said abutment is adjustable both linearly along said scum 3D in F member and angularly to vary the orientation of a curved n g issabutment edge cooperating with a follower nose connected to 11.8. CI 123/140 R said fuel quantit control member.

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PATENTEnunv 16 Ian 3, 620. 1 99 sum 1 OF 2 I s liia 5 n nnnnn Inn CONTRIFUGAL GOVERNOR FOR THE RPM CONTROL OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a centrifugal governor for the r.p.m. control of internal combustion engines operating on injected fuel. The centrifugal governor is of the type wherein the governor member (such as a governor rod) displaces a fuel quantity control member of a fuel injection pump through an intermediate lever which is supported pivotally on a pin integral with an actuating member which serves for the arbitrary adjustment of said fuel quantity control member. The centrifugal governor is further of the type wherein the traveling path of the fuel quantity control member in the direction of fuel increase is limited, on the one hand, by an abutment which is secured to the governor housing and adjustable in the direction of the pump axis and which determines the fuel quantities for full load, and, on the other hand, by a follower nose secured to said intennediate lever. In case the said governor member, during change of r.p.m. shifts the location of its joint with the intermediate lever, said follower nose is displaced in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the intermediate lever and transversally relative to the direction of adjustment of the abutment. Further, there is provided a force accumulator which is loaded as soon and as long as the intermediate lever urges the fuel quantity control member to move beyond said abutment. In a known centrifugal governor of the aforenoted type (as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,259,693), the abutment secured to the housing is displaceable in the axial direction of the pump and may be immobilized in any desired position. The abutment is provided with a curved contour (adapter curve) which corresponds to or very closely approximates the r.p.m.-dependent course of fuel quantity requirements'necessary for a smokefree combustion or for particular operating conditions. It is to be understood that the term curve" is used in its broad sense, thus including contours of linear configuration. The fuel quantity control rod of the associated fuel injection pump is displaced, during r.p.m. change, as a function of said adapter curve. When the aforementioned actuating member, which is jointed with an operator lever, is set into the full load position, a force accumulator is loaded and the governor member is displaced. The fuel quantities delivered by the fuel injection pump for full load are, dependent upon the course of the adapter curve, increased or decreased in a predetermined manner.

According to another known centrifugal governor of the aforenoted type (such as disclosed, for example, in German Pat. No. l,0l0,32l the curved contour of the abutment secured to the housing is provided with an additional portion which determines the maximum fuel quantities required for the starting of the engine.

In engines of more recent design it is often a requirement to change the fuel quantities for full load as a function of a kinked adapter curve in such a manner that, for example, in case of an r.p.m. increase, the fuel quantity first increases and then decreases. It is additionally required that the abutment determine a certain position of the fuel quantity control member required for the starting of the engine. In such cases a rigid arrangement of the adapter curve is disadvantageous because for differing requirements different curves are needed.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved centrifugal governor wherein the position of the abutment, the slope of the adapter curve and the engine starting position of the fuel quantity control member are settable substantially independently of one another so that only a small number of adapter curves have to be provided and the adjustability is greatly simplified.

Briefly stated, according to the invention the adjustable abutment is provided with a pivotable abutment plate having a contour constituting an adapter curve. Said plate may be immobilized in any set position. n the intermediate lever there is mounted a follower nose integral with a rocker and settable into a position from which, prior to the starting of the engine and during the motion of the actuating member into the full load position, it may be swung under the abutment plate. The follower nose, however, will engage the abutment plate in ranges beyond the starting r.p.m.

The invention will be better understood, as well as further objects and advantages will become more apparent, from the ensuing detailed specification of a preferred, although exemplary, embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION 'OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view along line II-II of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view along line III-III of FIG. I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to FIG. '1, to the drive shaft of a schematically indicated fuel injection pump 1 of an internal combustion engine (not shown), there is keyed a conventional centrifugal governor generally indicated at II, the governor rod 12 of which is connected with an intermediate lever 14 by means of a pin I3. The latter is affixed laterally to a slide member 15 and is jointedly connected with a lever 16 which, in turn, is pivotally secured to the governor housing 18 by means ofa pin 17.

The movements of the governor rod 12 are transmitted to a fuel quantity control rod 22 of the fuel injection pump I through an intermediate lever 14 pivotally held on a pin 19 of an actuating member 20, 25 and through an intermediate link 21. The actuating member 20 is keyed to a shaft 23 rotatably held in housing 18. To shaft 23 there is also afi'lxed, outside housing 18, an operator lever 24. It is thus seen that the actuating lever 20 and the operator lever 24 form a bell crank turnable as a unit.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the pin 19 afi'ixed to a jointed link 25 of the actuating lever 20, projects with one end into a guiding slot 26 of the intermediate lever 14 and engages with its other end a curved slot 27, formed in a plate 29 pivotable about a pin 28 secured to the housing 18. The plate 29 is. in its initial position, urged by a spring 30 into contact with an abutment 31 secured to the housing 18. The plate 29 and the spring 30 serve as a force accumulator.

Referring once again to FIG. I, on the joint between the intermediate lever 14 and the intermediate link 21 there is pivotally mounted a rocker 33 provided with a follower nose 32. The rocker 33 is further provided with an adjusting screw 34 secured by means of a U-shaped spring plate. The screw 34, urged by a spring 35 into contact with the intermediate lever 14, determines the angular position of the follower nose 32 with respect to said lever I4.

For the fine adjustment of the distance between the fuel quantity control rod 22 and the lever 14 or the follower nose 32, there is provided a device which is formed of a bolt-shaped terminus 38 of the intermediate link 21, a spring 39 tensioned between a collar 36 and a snap ring 40 (both secured to the bolt-shaped terminus 38), a nut 41 and a counter nut 42 (both mounted on a threaded portion 37 of tenninus 38) and a jointed member 43. The latter is held in the intermediate lever 14 by means of two lateral pins 44, which also carry the rocker 33. Further, by means of the spring 39, the jointed member 43 is urged against a frontal face of the nut 41 secured by the counter nut 42. The other end of the spring 39 engages the snap ring 40. The maximum adjusting range is determined by the difference between the height of the collar 36 and the depth of a depression 45 in the jointed member 43. It is an advantage of the aforedescribed mechanism for fine adjustment that during the exact adjustment or readjustment for full load fuel quantities, the already set, rpm-dependent fuel delivery is not altered. Such alteration would, however, occur should the hereinafter described abutment itself be displaced along the fuel quantity control member 22.

To provide an access from the outside to the aforedescribed fine adjusting mechanism, the housing 18 has an opening normally closed by a lid 46.

To a face 47 forming part of housing 18 and normally covered by a lid 46, there is threadedly affixed an abutment generally indicated at 48 for determining the full load fuel quantities delivered by the fuel injection pump. The abutment 48 extends into the housing 18 with a leverlike abutment plate 50 provided with a contour edge 49.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 2, the abutment 48 is built as follows: An abutment housing 52 secured to the face 47 by means of screws 51 is provided with guide faces 53 for a bearing block 54 and may be displaced by means of an ad justing screw 55 in the axial direction of the fuel injection pump 1. The abutment housing 52 may be immobilized in its set position by means of a clamping plate 56 and a screw 57. The bearing block 54 carries on an integral arm 58 extending into the housing 18, a pin 59 on which the abutment plate 50 is mounted in such a manner that it is adapted to pivot through an angle of about :l The angular position of the abutment plate 50 is determined by means of a setting screw 61 and a spring'62. The setting screw 61 is secured to the bearing block 54 by means ofa nut 60.

For limiting the maximum fuel quantities required for starting the engine, there is provided a stop 63 secured to the driven side of the pump in alignment with the axis of the fuel quantity control rod 22.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the figures, the movable components are shown in their position of rest (that is, the engine rpm. is zero); the operator lever 24 is in its off" position.

For starting the internal combustion engine, the operator lever 24 is moved in the direction of arrow lV into the full load position, whereby the fuel quantity control rod 22 is shifted into the starting position by the actuating member 20, 25, the intermediate lever 14 and the intermediate link 21. At the same time, as the intermediate lever 14 pivots about pin 13, the follower nose 32 is freely swung under the curve 49 of the abutment plate 50. The starting position is limited by the abutting engagement of the fuel quantity control rod 22 with the stop 63.

The setting of the rpm. at which the follower nose 32 may just move past the abutment plate 50 is performed by moving the rocker 33 from its position of rest by means of the adjusting screw 34. Beyond the rpm. the fuel quantities are limited by the curved abutment edge 49, the inclination of which may be varied by the setting screw 61. It is noted that by inclination there is meant here the slope of the contour edge 49 in an imaginary fixed coordinate system.

If the engine has started and if the operator lever 24 is, for example, maintained in the full load position, the rpm. continues to increase, the governor rod 12 of the centrifugal governor 1 I moves to the left (FIG. 1) in a known manner and carries with it the slide member 15. The pin 13, guided by the lever 16, executes a stroke in addition to its longitudinal motion, and the intermediate lever 14 is pivoted about the momentary fulcrum 19 in such a manner that the follower nose 32 of the rocker 33 is brought into a position close to the off position shown in the drawing. The fuel quantity control rod 22, by means of the intermediate link 21, is drawn into a corresponding position and, as a result, the fuel quantities injected into the engine are decreased.

The follower nose 32, despite its stroke motion caused by levers l6 and 14, may swing back under the abutment plate 50 during high r.p.m.'s by virtue of the spring-loaded rocker 33.

A decrease in the fuel quantities injected into the engine causes a drop in the r.p.m. and, as a result, the slide member 15 moves towards the right into a position corresponding to the full load position of the operator lever 24. in this position of the slide member 15, the follower nose 32 abuts against the curved edge 49. This position of the follower nose 32 is shown at 32 in a dash-dot line in FIG. 1. in this instance the pin 13 assumes a position shown at 13'.

If the rpm. of the engine under load decreases, the pin 13 shifts from its position 13' in the direction of its position shown in solid lines and the follower nose 32 slides on the curved edge (adapter curve) 49 and, for a lower r.p.m., assumes a position indicated, for example, at 32". It is noted that the adapter curve described by the follower nose 32 as it traces the edge 49 depends upon the curve slope which, as explained earlier, is variable by the setting screw 61. in position 32 the force accumulator 29, 30 is loaded: the plate 29 moves away from the abutment 31 against the force of the spring 30 into the dash-dotted position at 29".

Should the rpm. of the engine under load again increase, the precedingly described occurrence is repeated in an inverse sequence. The governor rod 12 draws the pin 13 again in the direction of position 13', the follower nose 32 slides along the adapter curve 49 into the position 32' and the force accumulator 29, 30 is unloaded, whereby the plate 29, as soon as the maximum r.p.m. corresponding to full load is reached, again engages the abutment 31.

1f the engine runs entirely without load (fast idling), the centrifugal governor 11, through the governor rod 12, draws the pin 13 towards the left from its position 13 and the intermediate lever 14 swings about the fulcrum 19 in such a manner that the fuel quantity control rod 22 is drawn towards the right in the stop" direction; at the same time, the follower nose 32 is lifted off the curved edge 49.

The engine is stopped by setting the operator lever 24 in the off position as shown in the drawing.

in case of emergency, the fuel injection pump may be shut off in a known manner by cutoff means (not shown) moving the fuel quantity control rod 22 against the force of the spring 30 independent of the position of the operator lever 24.

That which is claimed is:

1. in a centrifugal governor for controlling the rpm. of an internal combustion engine by varying the position of a fuel quantity control member forming part ofa fuel injection pump associated with said engine, said centrifugal governor being of the known type that includes (A) a governor member displaceable as a function of the engine-r.p.m., (B) intermediate lever means jointed to said governor means and said fuel quantity control member for causing an rpm-dependent displacement of the latter, (C) a pivotally held actuating member jointed to said intermediate lever means for the arbitrary displacement of said fuel quantity control member, (D) linearly adjustable abutment means for limiting the displacements of said fuel quantity control member, and (E) a follower nose mounted on said intermediate lever means and cooperating with said abutment means to effect a limitation of said displacement, the improvement comprising,

A. an abutment plate forming part of said linearly adjustable abutment means, said abutment plate having a contour edge traced by said follower nose along a curve of determined slope.

B. means for angularly adjusting said abutment plate independently of the linear adjustment of said abutment means for varying the slope of said curve and C. a rocker unitary with said follower nose and pivotally secured to said intermediate lever means 2. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate lever means is formed of an intermediate lever and an intermediate link, the latter is jointed to said intermediate lever and said fuel quantity control member; said improvement further includes means for a limited fine adjustment of said intermediate link along its length dimension to vary the distance between said fuel quantity control member and said follower nose.

3. In a centrifugal governor for controlling the r.p.m. of an internal combustion engine by varying the position of a fuel quantity control member forming part of a fuel injection pump associated with said engine, said centrifugal governor being of the known type that includes (A) a governor member displaceable as a function of the engine-r.p.m., (B) intennediate lever means jointed to said governor member and said fuel quantity control member for causing an r.p.m.-dependent displacement of the latter, said intennediate lever means including a guiding slot, (C) a pivotally held actuating member jointed to said intermediate lever means for the arbitrary displacement of said fuel quantity control member, said actuating member including an integral pin extending into said guiding slot and forming a shiftable fulcrum for said intermediate lever means, (D) linearly adjustable abutment means for limiting the displacements of said fuel quantity control member, and (E) a follower nose mounted on said intermediate lever means and cooperating with said abutment means to effect a limitation of said displacement, the improvement comprising,

A. an abutment plate forming part of said linearly adjustable abutment means.

B. means for angularly adjusting said abutment plate independently of the linear adjustment of said abutment means,

C. a rocker unitary with said follower nose and pivotally secured to said intermediate lever means,

D. a slotted plate pivotable about an axis spaced parallel from the pivotal axis of said actuating member, said slotted plate includes a curved slot into which said integral pin extends and with respect to which it is adapted to slide longitudinally,

E. a stop disposed in the path of movement of said slotted plate and F. spring means urging said slotted plate against said stop; said curved slot, said slotted plate and said spring means constituting a force accumulator.

4. In a centrifugal governor for controlling the r.p.m. of an internal combustion engine by varying the position of a fuel quantity control member forming part of a fuel injection pump associated with said engine, said centrifugal governor being of the known type that includes (A) a governor member displaceable as a function of the engine-r.p.m., (B) an intermediate lever jointed to said governor member, (C) an intermediate link jointed to said intennediate lever and said fuel quantity control member for causing an r.p.m.-dependent displacement of the latter, (D) a pivotally held actuating member jointed to said intermediate lever for the arbitrary displacement of said fuel quantity control member, (E) linearly adjustable abutment means for limiting the displacements of said fuel quantity control member, and (F) a follower nose mounted on said intermediate lever and cooperating with said abutment means to effect a limitation of said displacement, the improvement comprising,

A. an abutment plate forming part of said linearly adjustable abutment means, B. means for angularly adjusting said abutment plate independently of the linear adjustment of said abutment means, C. a rocker unitary with said follower nose and pivotally secured to said intermediate lever and D. means for the fine adjustment of said intermediate link along its length dimension to vary the distance between said fuel quantity control member and said follower nose. said last-named means including 1. a bolt-shaped terminus of said intermediate link. said terminus has a threaded portion,

2. a coupling or jointed member slidably mounted on said terminus and jointed to said intermediate lever,

3. a nut threadedly received on said threaded portion of said terminus,

4. a spring urging said coupling member against said nut and 5. a collar integral with said terminus for limiting the slidable adjustment of said cou ling member. 5. An improvement as defined in c am 1, including means for adjusting the angular position of said rocker with respect to said intermediate lever means to vary the cooperation between said follower nose and said abutment plate. 

1. In a centrifugal governor for controlling the r.p.m. of an internal combustion engine by varying the position of a fuel quantity control member forming part of a fuel injection pump associated with said engine, said centrifugal governor being of the known type that includes (A) a governor member displaceable as a function of the engine-r.p.m., (B) intermediate lever means jointed to said governor means and said fuel quantity control member for causing an r.p.m.-dependent displacement of the latter, (C) a pivotally held actuating member jointed to said intermediate lever means for the arbitrary displacement of said fuel quantity control member, (D) linearly adjustable abutment means for limiting the displacements of said fuel quantity control member, and (E) a follower nose mounted on said intermediate lever means and cooperating with said abutment means to effect a limitation of said displacement, the improvement comprising, A. an abutment plate forming part of said linearly adjustable abutment means, said abutment plate having a contour edge traced by said follower nose along a curve of determined slope, B. means for angularly adjusting said abutment plate independently of the linear adjustment of said abutment means for varying the slope of said curve and C. a rocker unitary with said follower nose and pivotally secured to said intermediate lever means
 2. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate lever means is formed of an intermediate lever and an intermediate link, the latter is jointed to said intermediate lever and said fuel quantity control member; said improvement further includes means for a limited fine adjustment of said intermediate link along its length dimension to vary the distance between said fuel quantity control member and said follower nose.
 2. a coupling or jointed member slidably mounted on said terminus and jointed to said intermediate lever,
 3. a nut threadedly received on said threaded portion of said terminus,
 3. In a centrifugal governor for controlling the r.p.m. of an internal combustion engine by varying the position of a fuel quantity control member forming part of a fuel injection pump associated with said engine, said centrifugal governor being of the known type that includes (A) a governor member displaceable as a function of the engine-rpm, (B) intermediate lever means jointed to said governor member and said fuel quantity control member for causing an r.p.m.-dependent displacement of the latter, said intermediate lever means including a guiding slot, (C) a pivotally held actuating member jointed to said intermediate lever means for the arbitrary displacement of said fuel quantity control member, said actuating member including an integral pin extending into said guiding slot and forming a shiftable fulcrum for said intermediate lever means, (D) linearly adjustable abutment means for limiting the displacements of said fuel quantity control member, and (E) a follower nose mounted on said intermediate lever means and cooperating with said abutment means to effect a limitation of said displacement, the improvement comprising, A. an abutment plate forming part of said linearly adjustable abutment means, B. means for angularly adjusting said abutment plate independently of the linear adjustment of said abutment means, C. a rocker unitary with said follower nose and pivotally secured to said intermediate lever means, D. a slotted plate pivotable about an axis spaced parallel from the pivotal axis of said actuating member, said slotted plate includes a curved slot into which said integral pin extends and with respect to which it is adapted to slide longitudinally, E. a stop disposed in the path of movement of said slotted plate and F. spring means urging said slotted plate against said stop; said curved slot, said slotted plate and said spring means constituting a force accumulator.
 4. In a centrifugal governor for controlling the r.p.m. of an internal combustion engine by varying the position of a fuel quantity control member forming part of a fuel injection pump associated with said engine, said centrifugal governor being of the known type that includes (A) a governor member displaceable as a function of the engine-r.p.m., (B) an intermediate lever jointed to said governor member, (C) an intermediate link jointed to said intermediate lever and said fuel quantity control member for causing an r.p.m.-dependent displacement of the latter, (D) a pivotally held actuating member jointed to said intermediate lever for the arbitrary displacement of said fuel quantity control member, (E) linearly adjustable abutment means for limiting the displacements of said fuel quantity control Member, and (F) a follower nose mounted on said intermediate lever and cooperating with said abutment means to effect a limitation of said displacement, the improvement comprising, A. an abutment plate forming part of said linearly adjustable abutment means, B. means for angularly adjusting said abutment plate independently of the linear adjustment of said abutment means, C. a rocker unitary with said follower nose and pivotally secured to said intermediate lever and D. means for the fine adjustment of said intermediate link along its length dimension to vary the distance between said fuel quantity control member and said follower nose, said last-named means including
 4. a spring urging said coupling member against said nut and
 5. a collar integral with said terminus for limiting the slidable adjustment of said coupling member.
 5. An improvement as defined in claim 1, including means for adjusting the angular position of said rocker with respect to said intermediate lever means to vary the cooperation between said follower nose and said abutment plate. 